The need for workers skilled in engineering and similar disciplines is well known in the manufacturing industry. According to the National Association of Manufacturing’s (NAM) Skills Gap Report, more than 80 percent of U.S. manufacturers report an overall shortage of qualified workers, which is affective their ability to meet customer demands, and 46 percent of small and medium manufacturers report that finding qualified employees is one of the most serious problems facing the company. However, manufacturers should be encouraged by recent remarks by President Barack Obama.

In an April 27 speech to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), President Obama announced new initiatives and investments in scientific research, innovation and education, and promised 3 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product would go toward funding for research and innovation. He also committed to doubling the budgets of three key agencies – the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy’s Office of Science and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

The president urged NAS members to use their love and knowledge of science to inspire U.S. students to pursue careers in science and engineering. He asked NAS members to “think about new and creative ways to engage young people in science and engineering, like science festivals, robotics competitions and fairs that encourage young people to create, build and invent – to be makers of things, not just consumers of things.”